Peace be to you.

And may I tell you a story about a bishop and a priest.

Because these stories might be a very fitting introduction to a sacrament that has to do with the government of the church, namely holy orders.

This first story I am familiar with because it was told to me by a fellow prisoner of the bishop.

This good bishop was put into a communist prison in China,

and through persecutions and beatings,

his weight fell to about 90 pounds,

covered with vermin, prison sores, wearing a black stocking cap and a black kimona.

He was unable to walk by himself.

He always had to be supported by two fellow Chinese prisoners.

Providentially, however, he was the only one in prison that was ever given bread and wine.

Communists did not know why they gave it to him.

But at any rate, he had it. If they knew that he was going to read Mass with the bread and wine,

they certainly would never have given it to him.

And this person in prison with him told me that no mass in a Gothic cathedral,

with all the pomp and splendor of liturgy, could ever equal the beauty of that mass that was

said by the bishop as he leaned against the prison wall with the tin tray before him,

moving his fingers, saying over the bread,

this is my body.

And over the wine, this is my blood.

And then secretly afterwards passing out communion

to those who shared his faith.

...